New Beginnings at the Family Service Center
Tom’s Family Seeks Support
Tom is a hardworking man who built a good life in Florida. There, he was close to his parents and was able to establish himself as a tradesman. His success as an HVAC contractor allowed him to live comfortably, be there for his parents, and support his daughter while she lived with her mother in Minnesota. But in just over a year, Tom suffered a series of devastating losses. The mother of Tom’s daughter passed away unexpectedly, and in the following year, Tom lost both of his parents.
Suddenly Tom was navigating the experience of being a single father without the support of family. He picked up extra jobs and worked overtime to make sure his daughter had everything she needed. But living without the support of family wasn’t sustainable for Tom. They started struggling to get by and he knew their situation needed to change. So, Tom and his daughter packed everything they had and drove to Minnesota, where Tom grew up. They planned to stay with a relative in the Twin Cities, but a house fire destroyed the home before they arrived. Tom was devastated when he heard the news. “It’s hard to take so many hits and keep getting up,” he explained, “but I didn’t have a choice.”
With nowhere else to go, Tom and his daughter turned to Catholic Charities for help – they moved into shelter at Catholic Charities Family Service Center in February of 2024.
Catholic Charities Family Service Center
Catholic Charities Family Service Center shelter provides critical support for families experiencing homelessness. They offer a safe place to stay, and the resources needed to get families back on their feet. With a focus on creating stability, the center offers services like emergency shelter, meals, childcare, case management, and employment assistance. The goal is to help families like Tom’s regain independence and find a permanent place to call home.
At the Family Service Center, Tom and his daughter found not only a roof over their heads, but a community dedicated to helping him rebuild. The staff helped set up routines for Tom and his daughter, provided access to childcare, and connected Tom to job opportunities.
“The people here helped me out . . . they showed up for me, and did everything they could to help us find a place of our own.”
A New Home in St. Paul
With the guidance and resources from the Family Service Center, Tom was finally able to begin properly grieving the losses he had experienced while being there for his daughter. Within two months, he and his daughter moved into their own apartment in St. Paul. “I’m so grateful that this program exists,” said Tom. “The people here helped me out . . . they showed up for me, and did everything they could to help us find a place of our own.”
Now, Tom and his daughter have begun a new chapter, rebuilding their life together in their new home.
